Vuelves a pasar

Question

I think it means "you return here again" (not literally) like "you again?" but I don't really see how pasar fits, except that "pasa" and "entra" both mean "come in" or enter. So maybe "pasar" here means like, you entered again? Gracias.

Answer 1

It means "pass by this place again".

The structure "Volver + a + infinitivo" is used to show repetition:

Si vuelves a pasar por mi casa, te invitaré un café

If you pass by my house again, I will treat you a coffee.

Si vuelves a tener dolores de cabeza, te llevaré al doctor

If you have headaches again, I will take you to the doctor.

So, don´t try to translate volver with its literal meaning. Think of it as an auxiliary verb used in a grammar structure in order to emphasize the meaning of repetition. It could be translated as "again" (in a context, of course. Not literally.)

Also, pasar is a versatile verb, it can mean different things in different contexts, so you´d better look it up in SpanishDict to learn how it can be used and what it can mean.

Hope it helps!

When a dad says "vuelves a pasar" to his kid when he returns from soccer practice and enters the kitchen "you pass by this place again" seems odd. - jeezzle, Sep 11, 2010

True. That's why when you need help with an expression you should give the expression in a context, in order to get the most relevant answer possible. - maria_k, Sep 11, 2010

I presented it as a phrase, you interpreted it as if were in a sentence, like "si vuelves a pasar....." so I can see the confusion. I do appreciate your help, but I think here, maybe "you again" works? What do you think? It's hard to imagine "you again?" - jeezzle, Sep 11, 2010

with pasar but I can almost see it although it seems a bit unusual. - jeezzle, Sep 11, 2010

It's hard to tell, without constant native input, if a phrase is "weird" or natural in everyday use, that I hear in a show. Being that I am constantly immersed, I hate the idea of absorbing an incorrect thought although overanlalyzing is also bad. ni modo - jeezzle, Sep 11, 2010

I think your translation is right in this context, as a stand alone phrase. But I wouldn't be able to give you an explanation based on grammar. But my sense and my understanding of the language tell me that "you again" is the meaning. - maria_k, Sep 11, 2010

Answer 2

i think is "you come back again "